6 – 22 February 2026 | Milan – Cortina, Italy
One shoe, 150 demanding users
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the Slovene House once again became a hub of Slovenian excellence, bringing together athletes, companies, and a winning spirit. Alpina had the great honour of equipping the Slovenian Olympic Committee team with suitable footwear. We put them in ONYX, a new-generation hiking shoe that we believed would hold up to long and intense days on their feet.
While public attention was focused on the competitors, members of the Slovenian Olympic delegation faced their own daily challenges: long days, distances that often exceeded 10 kilometers, and exposure to snowstorms, icy surfaces, and extreme cold.
We put more than 150 different users into ONYX – from athletes to support staff – with very different foot types and expectations regarding functionality, which enabled valuable testing in real-world conditions and, above all, by very demanding users.
From official duty to free time in ONYX
The shoes were also worn in their free time by members of the Slovenian Olympic team, including gold-winning siblings Domen Prevc and Nika Prevc, further confirming ONYX’s excellence and versatility beyond work duties.
As confirmed by Blaž Perko, Head of the Slovenian National Team:
“Employees at the Olympic Committee of Slovenia used Alpina winter boots during the Winter Olympic Games in Italy, where our work daily exposed us to demanding weather and terrain conditions across various sports venues.
Based on users’ experiences, we can confirm that the boots proved to be very reliable and high-quality footwear for use in winter conditions. They were tested in various weather conditions – from dry and extremely cold weather to snowstorms and icy surfaces. We also used them while attending alpine skiing competitions in Cortina, ski jumping in Predazzo, and biathlon events in Anterselva, where the boots provided stability and reliable grip even on the most demanding, slippery surfaces. On average, we walked over 10 km per day in them (step counter) and experienced not a single negative issue, no sore feet, no blisters…
The boots’ effective thermal insulation and water resistance deserve special mention. Even during many hours spent outdoors in snow and moisture, the boots kept feet dry and protected from the cold. Users also highlighted a high level of comfort, as the footwear is soft, well-adapted, and suitable for prolonged wear, which is especially important when working at outdoor sports venues. Despite intensive daily use, they showed no wear or damage whatsoever.
Based on these experiences, we assess that the Alpina winter boots proved to be a very suitable choice for use in demanding winter conditions. Positive feedback was also confirmed by the athletes of the Slovenian national team and their support staff, who wore the boots in their free time as well.”
A small contribution to the winning team
We developed ONYX with the goal of satisfying demanding users who spend a lot of time on their feet and want high-performance, functional footwear. We are extremely proud that we were able to put Slovenian athletes, their support staff, and the organizers of the Slovenian Olympic House into ONYX. Thank you for the opportunity.
